Improv Planet
The School of Historic Keyboard Improvisation
About Improv Planet
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At Improv Planet we study the pathways of musicianship that led to the remarkable fluency of spontaneous invention among 18th and 19th century musicians. We learn to improvise music in historic styles.
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Improv Planet’s members come from every inhabited continent and include seasoned concert artists, conservatory faculty and students, members of international orchestras, private piano teachers, avid amateurs, retired hobbyists, young people, and more.
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Improv Planet offers instruction in two different formats: by monthly membership, and by single “stand-alone” courses.
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The stand-alone courses cover specific topics in depth, and involve about the same amount of work as a one-semester college-level course.
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Monthly memberships provide access to the world’s largest library of tutorial videos in historic improvisation. And this collection is constantly growing: each month we put out new video: tutorials, live performance of improvisations, Q&A, and the fun, engaging Improv Challenge.
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Monthly memberships are available on three levels: Amateur, Pro, and Access.
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The Amateur level requires modest keyboard skills and introductory knowledge of music theory, but still provides instruction in improvising real music using real techniques. Each month Amateur includes two new tutorials, two performance videos (improvisations, usually from live concerts), the Ask Me Anything Q&A, and the Improv Challenge.
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The Pro level is for professional performers, conservatory faculty and students, and those ready for rigorous engagement with the theoretical and performance ideas that lie behind improvisation. Pro includes all content from Amateur as well as two additional tutorials and a monthly “breakdown” video, giving an inside-the-workshop look at specific improvised performances.
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The Access level includes all the above, with access to all new content one week before the official release date.
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No ads anywhere, ever.
Courses and Memberships
Improv Planet offers "stand-alone" courses or subscriptions as monthly members. Membership is available at three levels: Amateur, Pro, and Access.
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The Improvisation Series consists of four courses: Introduction to Historic Improvisation, Historic Improvisation II (After Furno), Improvising Classical Variations, and 19th Century Preluding.
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The Piano Foundations Series consists of three courses: The Four Pillars of Piano Technique, Tone Production at the Piano, and How to Practice.
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The Amateur membership includes two new amateur tutorials, a new performance video, a new Improv Challenge every month. The “By Request” video comes out bi-monthly. PLUS instant access to all previous videos in these categories (over 300). Also included: access to the Improv Planet Discussion Forum, updates on Dr. Mortensen's books, recordings, touring, and masterclasses.
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The Pro level includes everything from the Amateur level PLUS two new Pro tutorials every month, periodic Project Updates (insider info on new developments in the improv world), and instant access to all previous videos in these categories (over 400).
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The Access level includes everything from the Amateur and Pro levels, plus early access to all content one week prior to its regular publication.
Student Reviews
Historic Improvisation
Christoph Mutter
Exzellent Staff and brillant Teaching. No doubt a milestone in music education to forget the tyranny of playing the repertoire again and again and loose joy ...
Read MoreExzellent Staff and brillant Teaching. No doubt a milestone in music education to forget the tyranny of playing the repertoire again and again and loose joy on classical music.
Read Lesskiller course!
Luigi P
There's nothing that Mr Mortensen does that is not highly instructive, but this course is simply killer. You won't find an online course like this on the int...
Read MoreThere's nothing that Mr Mortensen does that is not highly instructive, but this course is simply killer. You won't find an online course like this on the internet, and not even offline. In this course Mr Mortensen goes even beyond the already killer 18th century improvisation realm, and enters the 19th century without any weak excuses! ANY classical musicians will benefit from this mind opening course, but also non classical (I am both!). A wealth of illustrious and eminent musical traditions are explored, CPE Bach to Clara Schumann and everything in between! Quite frankly this material is very modestly priced....do not thing for a second whether it's worth 59 bucks. It's worth at least 4 times as much.
Read Lessanother SMASHING course from Dr. Mortensen!
Luigi P
I frankly bought all the courses by Dr. Mortensen, they are amazing! I wonder what someone like Valentina Lisitsa would be able to do with such a course! But...
Read MoreI frankly bought all the courses by Dr. Mortensen, they are amazing! I wonder what someone like Valentina Lisitsa would be able to do with such a course! But even if I'll never be Lisitsa, these courses are truly mind opening, there's nothing else like that around and frankly every other piano course I see on known websites by top educators, are starting to look tired compared to the extremely interesting system taught by Dr. Mortensen. And this was the very same system that top notch musicians were learning a long time ago. This amazingly interesting world must be rescued from the obscurity and oblivion it was falling into, which is exactly what these courses do. I mean, wasn't that Martini guy the same teacher who taught MOZART? It can't be a coincidence that 200 years ago music teachers were creating master musicians, and today either mediocre ones, or at best, competent or highly competent PERFORMERS. I still remember how when I wanted to be a musician was to create my own music, not playing music by others. Again, it is always edifying to learn a new Bach piece, but I think it is limiting, and BORING, to play only music written by others!
Read LessAbsolutely amazing course!
Saxon Fullwood
This course is perfect in every way. I have been playing pieces from the repertoire for years and was beginning to get bored of it, but this course has reki...
Read MoreThis course is perfect in every way. I have been playing pieces from the repertoire for years and was beginning to get bored of it, but this course has rekindled my love for piano and keyboard music. I was a complete beginner to improvising, but after the course, it felt easy. It also gets you used to the structure of music which makes memorising pieces from the repertoire much faster and easier. Highly recommend!
Read LessCourses and Memberships:
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Amateur (Monthly Membership)
Bundle$8.95 / month
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Pro (Monthly Membership)
Bundle$11.95 / month
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Access (Monthly Membership)
Bundle$13.95 / month
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Improvising Classical Variations
CourseThis practical course shows step-by-step how to evaluate, choose, and adapt thematic material, generate ideas for variations, and improvise variations in Classical style.
$75
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Introduction to Historic Improvisation (Course)
Course5.0 average rating (3 reviews)This course introduces the basics of historic improvisation: Rule of the Octave, cadences, modulations, bass motions, partimento, and diminutions. Includes many downloadable study documents. Seven hours of instructional video in 24 lessons.
$65
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Historic Improvisation II - After Furno (Course)
CourseContinuing from the Intro class, this course covers all remaining bass motions after those explained in Furno. 44 video lessons (totaling six hours) provide the learner with a complete harmonic vocabulary of 18th century music.
$77
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19th Century Preluding (Course)
Course5.0 average rating (1 review)This course teaches the art of preluding - improvising introductions to written compositions - in the style of the Romantic era. 27 video lessons guide learners through detailed study of historical documents and practical application at the keyboard.
$69
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The Four Pillars of Piano Technique (Piano Foundations I)
Course5.0 average rating (2 reviews)The Four Pillars of Technique is an exploration of the basic physical principles that govern a healthy and fluent approach to the piano. Each "pillar" (or concept) is explained and demonstrated with clarity and humor.
$55
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Tone Production at the Piano (Piano Foundations II)
CourseWhat aspects of tone can one actually control? How do these work in combination? How does one get a great sound on this instrument? Learn from a practical, no-nonsense concert artist with years of experience on the international concert stage.
$55
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How to Practice (Piano Foundations III)
Course5.0 average rating (3 reviews)This course is about effective practicing of standard piano repertoire: making progress, avoiding pitfalls, and becoming a better musician!
$55
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Piano Foundations
BundleAll three courses in the Piano Foundations series: The Four Pillars of Piano Technique, Tone Production at the Piano, and How to Practice. Buy them together and save a few bucks.
$149
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Navigating Your Music Career
Course5.0 average rating (1 review)The course consists of 24 video lessons (over five hours of content) with Dr. John Mortensen. This course is for those considering a career in classical music, higher education, and related disciplines.
$35
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Improvisation in Historical Styles: Performance, Pedagogy, and Research (Conference)
Course5.0 average rating (3 reviews)2022 Conference: Improvisation in Historical Styles
Free
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Lifetime Pass
BundleEverything, including all new courses to be released in the future. Unlimited access for as long as Improv Planet exists. If you plan to study with Improv Planet for more than two years and take all courses, this is the most economical option.
$745
Professor John Mortensen
Dr. John Mortensen is a leader in the international revival of keyboard improvisation in historical styles. Appearing frequently as concert artist, masterclass teacher, and academic lecturer in America and Europe, he is noted for his ability to improvise entire concerts. He is the author of "The Pianist's Guide to Historic Improvisation" and "Improvising Fugue" (both with Oxford University Press). Mortensen is a Steinway Artist and Fulbright Scholar. He teaches improvisation at The Curtis Institute of Music.